ICSF Wave 1: GENESIS: Garnet Electrolytes for New Energy Storage Integrated Solutions

Lead Research Organisation: University of Birmingham
Department Name: School of Chemistry

Abstract

The portable electronics boom has been driven by advances made in Li ion battery technology, following the initial work on the lithium cobalt oxide cathode material by Goodenough and co-workers. Other notable advances in terms of phosphate containing cathodes have extended the applications of lithium ion batteries to higher charge/discharge rate applications such as power tools and transport. Applications in terms of the latter have intensified the already substantial interest in lithium ion batteries, as a result of the environmental benefits of hybrid and all electric cars. Further applications as energy storage for renewable sources have also been proposed to overcome the intermittency of supply problems of renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. While research on new lithium ion battery electrode materials has been intensive, the development of new electrolyte materials has received comparatively less attention.
In a typical Li ion battery, the electrolyte is usually a Li salt in an organic solvent, as a result of the high Li ion conductivity of such systems. The flammable, toxic and volatile nature of such electrolytes, the instability in conjunction with higher voltage electrode materials, and the desire for miniaturisation are placing distinct limitations on further advances with conventional liquid electrolyte batteries. The use of a solid state electrolyte allows the potential to overcome these problems along with supplying a range of other advances including the simplified production of high voltage battery packs. A further unique advantage of solid state batteries is their low leakage currents, which delivers other potential applications in terms of use in energy harvesting devices. Furthermore the desire for shape-flexible, wearable electronic devices offers another avenue for the exploitation of all solid state battery systems.
This interdisciplinary project involving researchers from chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering and industry aims therefore to develop new Solid State Li ion batteries. Such all solid state cells have been identified as one of the most important future targets in battery research, as illustrated by their inclusion as one of the fast-track projects in the Faraday challenge (industry strategy challenge objective 2). The importance of these batteries lies in their potential to deliver improved safety, reduced size, and higher capacity, as well as to open up new applications such as energy harvesting devices. In particular, the demonstration of a commercially viable scaleable ceramic-based electrolyte with higher safety will offer large benefits in terms of UK wealth generation/investment opportunities (Industry strategy challenge objective 1). In terms of potential commercialisation, the optimisation of garnet Li ion conducting electrolytes, their scale-up synthesis and demonstration in all solid state batteries offers significant potential in terms of Li ion battery technology, with applications ranging from portable consumer devices to transport. In terms of helping to ensure the delivery of impact in this area, a strong link has already been set up with industry, to provide key input into the project from an industrial viewpoint, along with industrial validation of the full cell tests on the most promising systems (industrial strategy challenge objective 3). This will allow UK industry to capitalise on the developments made during this work and offer an early route to exploitation (Industry strategy challenge objective 1).

Planned Impact

Lithium Ion batteries have revolutionised our daily life, with their development leading to the portable electronics boom. More recently they have found use in further applications in terms of hybrid and all electric vehicles. The key benefits of Li ion batteries for such applications are their high power and light weight. However, there are still a number of issues concerning these batteries, with the current electrolyte materials having significant limitations. In particular, these liquid electrolytes tend to be flammable, and unstable in contact with higher voltage electrodes. In addition, the need to contain the liquid electrolyte leads to individual batteries and battery stacks that are larger than ideal. This project is aimed at the development of a suitable solid state electrolyte to overcome such issues, and offer other avenues for further applications, such as energy harvesting devices and shape-flexible, wearable electronic devices. The development and scale up of such solid state electrolytes, and batteries utilising them, will therefore further enhance the applications of Li ion batteries: in particular in terms of transport applications, such advances in battery technology will lead to cleaner transport, thus reducing greenhouse gas emission levels, and so helping the UK to fulfil targets set by the Climate Change Act to cut its emissions by at least 80% from 1990 levels by 2050. The improved safety of such solid state electrolytes will also help ensure that issues regarding flammability, such as the recent Dreamliner battery fires, become a thing of the past. Furthermore, the low leakage rates and potential for miniaturisation of such batteries will open up new avenues for these battery systems as noted above, leading to further significant commercial benefits.

Publications

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Nie B (2020) Review on phase change materials for cold thermal energy storage applications in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

 
Description We have shown that the Lithium in these Garnet phases can be exchanged by hydrogen ions. This leads to a reduction in lithium ion conductivity. Thus the work shows the need to limit the exposure to moisture during the synthesis of these systems.
We have identified the maximum Li content these Garnet phases can accommodate, and how the Lithium is accommodated in the structure.
We have identified new dopants that can be incorporated into the structure in order to enhance sintering and conductivity
We have developed new methodologies for the synthesis of these garnet systems
We have improved the interfacial contact between the electrolyte and anode through use of coatings
We have identified dopants that increase the critical current density before Li dendrite formation
We have identified a strategy to link thermal energy storage with electrical energy storage to provide a new energy storage integrated solution: this has led to a new patent in this area.
A wide range of public engagement activities have been performed
Exploitation Route The work shows the need to consider the effect of possible reaction of these compounds with moisture
The observation that lithium ordering can be influenced by cation size may help in the design of new materials with improved Li ion conduction
Sectors Energy

 
Description 1. The initial findings have been used to obtain further (APC) funding (£13K) with regard to the scale-up synthesis of garnet electrolytes 2. A link has been set up with a book author, who writes thrillers covering environmental issues. His latest book (Cobalt by David Middleton: ISBN: 9781838593551) relates to Li ion batteries, and Prof. Slater was a scientific advisor on this book, and featured as a character in the book discussing solid state batteries. 3. A range of activities have been run, highlighting the fundamental features of Li ion batteries to schools, including workshops aimed at low ability groups. In addition, the resources have been further developed to allow the use by students with visual impairment 4. the knowledge generated has been used for a successful patent application
First Year Of Impact 2018
Sector Energy
Impact Types Societal

Economic

 
Description APC Feasibility Study
Amount £13,073 (GBP)
Funding ID 56065 
Organisation Advanced Propulsion Centre 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2018 
End 03/2018
 
Title Rapid sintering of Li6.5La3Zr1Nb0.5Ce0.25Ti0.25O12 for high density lithium garnet electrolytes with current induced in-situ interfacial resistance reduction 
Description  
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://edata.bham.ac.uk/986/
 
Title Water based synthesis of highly conductive GaxLi7-3xLa3Hf2O12 garnets with comparable critical current density to analogous GaxLi7-3xLa3Zr2O12 systems 
Description  
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL http://edata.bham.ac.uk/576/
 
Description Garnet electrolyte manufacture 
Organisation University of Warwick
Department Warwick Manufacturing Group
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a joint project aiming to develop scaleable routes to the production of garnet electrolytes. We are investigating sol gel based routes
Collaborator Contribution Warwick manufacturing group are investigating solid state approaches
Impact progress has been made in scaling up synthesis
Start Year 2018
 
Description Industrial Project partner on grant 
Organisation Qinetiq
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Sample preparation and characterisation with be done by Birmingham and Imperial College. We will also do initial cell testing to identify the most promising systems
Collaborator Contribution Validation testing of the most promising systems. Attendance and input at project meetings
Impact Further collaboration in InnUk project on high power batteries
Start Year 2017
 
Description PhD student provision from University of Birmingham (student to start 1/10/18) 
Organisation University of Birmingham
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The University of Birmingham is funding a PhD student to work on the project. The student worked alongside the PDRAs at Birmingham
Collaborator Contribution The University of Birmingham is funding a PhD student to work on the project to start 1/10/18
Impact PhD awarded to student. Papers in publications section
Start Year 2017
 
Description computer modelling studies on garnet ion conductors 
Organisation Loughborough University
Department Department of Chemistry
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution A collaborative link on combining experimental and modelling studies garnet ionic conductors has been instigated. We are providing the experimental data and interpretation.
Collaborator Contribution Our partners at Loughborough University are doing the computer modelling work
Impact A paper on combined modelling and experimental studies on F doped garnets is currently being worked on
Start Year 2017
 
Title ENERGY GENERATION 
Description A method of converting thermal energy to electrical energy, the method comprising the steps of harvesting thermal energy from a source;using the thermal energy to drive one or more chemical reactions;using one or more reaction products of the one or more chemical reactions to drive an electrochemical cell to produce electrical energy. 
IP Reference WO2019158948 
Protection Patent application published
Year Protection Granted 2019
Licensed No
Impact Pending
 
Description 'Chemistry at Work' at the Black Country Museum 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Chemistry at work event at the black country museum. Talk and demonstrations on energy technologies including fuel cells
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description A Whistle Stop Tour of Li-ion Batteries 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact a talk on Li ion batteries was given to the west midlands teaching centre
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description An energy pathway 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact an online talk on batteries was given to a school science club
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Batteries stand at the RSC Elements of Success event at the Royal Institution (15th Nov 2019) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Stand explaining the operation of Li ion batteries and current research from our group
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.rsc.org/events/detail/40079/iypt-2019-for-your-inspiration-the-elements-of-success
 
Description Battery stand at the Royal institution London School's Climate Kick-Start event 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Battery stand at the Royal institution London School's Climate Kick-Start event
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Battery stand at the Thinktank museum 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Meet the experts stand in Thinktank museum: covering all things Li-ion batteries, from how they operate to how we recycle them. Also trialed our new demos about battery coating slurries and rheology when it comes to manufacturing. Thinktank museum wrote to us after the event on how well received the demonstrations were
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Behind the lab specs episode 5 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Behind the lab specs episode 5: Ilika
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccUNHpfhfg8&list=PL5rEn4asarXHo4BTsdTuZ1e9NbWffppNO&index=8
 
Description CoCoMAD20 online festival: resources produced for virtual experiments highlighting batteries and their recycling 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact resources were produced for the online CoCoMad festival. In particular we developed and distributed resources to highlight the operation of Li ion batteries and how they are recycled
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Fuel Cell and Battery outreach activity for students with special educational needs 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact this was a day long event with Woodlands school which caters for pupils for special educational needs specifically social, emotional and mental health needs. Sessions on Fuel Cells and Batteries were run for a group of Year 11 (Final year GCSE) students.

The event included:
· Introducing our area of research (Fuel Cells and Battery materials)
· Discussing development of batteries e.g comparing mobile phones batteries from the past and present
· Helping students put together rudimentary batteries and fuel cells to demonstrate their principals
· Getting the group to think about the possible drawbacks of both technologies.
· Connecting those drawbacks discussed with current research conducted at Birmingham

The events was very enjoyable and the group seemed very engaged with the topic and they seem to really enjoy the practical experiments chosen for the session. The activity was designed to underpin the basic principles the students are taught inside the classroom for their science GCSE.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description IMPACT ON CRITICAL MATERIALS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES: THE NEED TO DEVELOP EFFICIENT RECYCLING STRATEGIES 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact presentation on battery research and its applicability towards the drive for low carbon transport
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL http://www.climate-change-solutions.co.uk/past-events/making-places-last-sustainable-homes-and-commu...
 
Description Interviewed for article in National Geographic 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interviewed for article in National Geographic
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/will-charging-electric-cars-ever-be-as-fast-a...
 
Description Lecture and demonstrations for RSC Top of the bench competition (Jan 18, 2020) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Using resources developed to explain Li ion batteries and fuel cells, a lecture was given on the chemistry of energy production and storage
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Li-ion batteries: born in the 90's and we're still fussing about them - why 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact a talk on Li batteries was given as part of the UoB shape your future schools talk series
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Presenter Network session sharing our work developing accessible sensory resources to explain Li ion batteries (Jan 20, 2020) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact While there are a number of resources available to teach and inspire schoolchildren and the general public about batteries, there are very few resources that consider the needs of students with visual impairment. We have extended our Li ion battery demonstration resources to be more inclusive in this regard, and this session we contributed to a Presenter Network session on these accessible sensory resources
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description RNIB Shape and Share event (9th Nov 2019) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact We took our sensory battery jenga to explain how batteries work at a RNIB event for people with visual impairment
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Radio broadcast 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact two hour phone in session on UnityFM birmingham (20000 listeners) covering the periodic table and clean energy (fuel cells, batteries)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description School workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact schools workshop at Harborne academy
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description School workshop on batteries 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact workshop on batteries. Afterwards, school requested future visits and increased interest in batteries
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description School's lecture on energy 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact school's christmas lecture covering energy, including fuel cells and batteries
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Sensory Science Day at the Thinktank Museum (3rd Aug 2019) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact We have produced inclusive resources to explain how Li ion batteries work, so that we can engage with people with disabilities (e.g. visual impairment).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Stand at the UoB Green Heart Festival (30th Oct 2019 and 2nd Oct 2019) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Produced a stand explaining battery chemistry and our research on solid state batteries and recycling for the UoB Green Heart festival
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Tactile Battery Jenga online session with Bolton sensory support service 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact A tactile jenga set to explain how Li ion batteries work was produced and sent to Bolton sensory support services. An online session on how to use the kit was run with students with visual impairment
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Talk on garnet electrolytes at UK-India workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Talk on batteries and outreach at UK India conference addressing batteries, recycling methods, policies and economies, critical issues on sustainability
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Talk to teachers as part of a PTI training day 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Prof Slater was invited by the PTI to give a talk on fuel cells and batteries to teachers at a CPD day on electrochemistry. A range of topics were covered including solid oxide fuel cells/electrolysers, solid state batteries, cathode and anode materials, and recycling. He also highlighted educational resources developed at Birmingham in this area. A number of the teachers commented how interesting the talk was , and how they would use the resources in their teaching.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description The Colourful Energy Scene Lecture for the RSC top of the bench competition 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact a talk on energy storage and conversion technologies was given to the RSC top of the bench competition participants
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description UK Energy Storage 2018 conference: Structural aspects of Li ion conducting garnets (Poster) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Poster presentation on the structural characteristics of Li ion conducting garnets: highlighting the effect of Li ordering and Li/H exchange
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description UK Solid State Electrolytes for Batteries (25th Sept 2019) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact We organised the 1st UK workshop on solid state electrolytes for batteries
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Video and Q&A on zoom for Discover Materials 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact a video was produced on battery work at Birmingham for Discover Materials. This was supported by an online Q and A session
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description battery display at the CoCoMad festival 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Display highlighting how Li ion batteries work at the CoCoMad festival in Cotteridge Park, Birmingham
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.facebook.com/CoCoMADFestival/
 
Description battery workshop for primary school children 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Visit to Valley School to deliver two back to back sessions to 90 primary pupils (180 students in total). Following an intro, we did some short whole group activities and then each PhD ambassador took on a group of 30 students. They helped them to make and understand the potato batteries they made. The pupils enjoyed the sessions and there were lots of great questions which showed how well they understood the group intro.
We related batteries back to work of the our EPSRC projects on batteries and fuel cells. We also discussed more generally with students "what a scientist" looks like - a few were shocked that two of our scientist don't wear spectacles, which goes to show how important it is for them to meet real scientists and break down some of these ideas.

Teachers feedback indicated that we increased the students chemistry knowledge, linked the work to the curriculum and they are likely to organise a visit again. Their comments were "the kids loved it" and "the kids really enjoyed it".
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description chemistry workshop for primary schools (28th Nov 2019) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact engaging primary schools with activities on batteries and other aspects of chemistry
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description talk on electrochemistry and outreach for the Princes Teaching institute 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact talk on electrochemistry and outreach for the Princes Teaching institute: favourable feedback from PTI and teachers
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description workshop on batteries and fuel cells 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact workshop for several groups of schoolchildren on batteries and fuel cells
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description workshops on batteries and fuel cells aimed at low ability school children 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact We ran workshops for low-ability Yr 10 students from Balaam Wood School.
This included:
• Introducing Li ion batteries and fuel cells
• Discussing batteries use with small groups e.g. use in everyday life
• Helping students doing a practical on batteries/fuel cells
• Demonstrating a simple fuel cell/battery in action
• Showing students real life fuel cell/battery
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018